driving on salt

[not]

Originally Posted by redleader

So, would you advise not washing the car all winter and just knocking loose any larger or obstructive clumps or moisture retaining lumps?

No, of course not. Anytime over freezing is a good time to wash it, especially the underside carriage. Biggest things is making sure the wheel wells are clear, but they don't have the flange with the weep hole they did years ago either, so that is not as important as it was.

When winter hits, the automated car washes do a brisk business. Look for the ones that not only state "touchless wash" but "Fresh Water Rinse", they don't use the recycled water that contains salt and grime and God only knows what.

Best regards.

[MYDLIFECRISIS]

I store mine in the bad weather, but take it out as soon as the roads are dry. It still gets some salt on it, but as long as you wash it when you can, you'll be ok. I panicked my first winter last year, but I'm resting a little easier this year. It won't kill your car as long as you stay on top of it.

[Blakk11SS]

OP, I'm into my 3rd winter with the Camaro and i don't see any rust. I read somewhere that the Camaro body is double-Gavanized steel and should last a very long time. We use the touch-free drive thru wash here in Minnesota during winter, it sprays the underside as well, keeps the corrosion at bay close to the road.

.

[Mobyd]

salt gets outta my way..

[Rock-It Man]

The worst salt damage I have seen is from driving at high speed on highways when brine is being applied. It gets all over the engine bay and into into every nook and cranny of the chassis. You might as well dip the car in sea water.

I wouldn't worry about driving over some dry salt crystals in the parking lot.

[not]

Originally Posted by Mobyd

salt gets outta my way..
Attachment 581442

Hey, isn't Everett a suburb of Seattle? Do they use salt up there and it really doesn't snow that much for a lot of salt use...........does it?

[jcsuddre]

It won't hurt to drive it a few times in this type of condition. Cars are built better than they used to be and don't rust as easily. The 5th gen is made from galvanized steel which means it is coated with a reducing agent which reacts with the salt put on the road whichin most cases it is calcium chloride which In turn protects the steel that it coats. However constantly driving in salt conditions over the years will cause rust but to drive in it a few times won't hurt

[Mobyd]

Originally Posted by not

Hey, isn't Everett a suburb of Seattle? Do they use salt up there and it really doesn't snow that much for a lot of salt use...........does it?

Correct .. Not much here in Everett.. few days of snow but no salt.. but more upnorth they might use salt

[Lacpac]

Rust: I'm hoping Chevys are built a little more rust resistant than by 2000 Dodge Mini-Van. I find washing and waxing cars theraputic when you work in an office all day. My 13 year olld mini-van still has a great shine, except for three spots where all Caravans seem to rust out. I've got an excellent waxed shine except for a huge hole in the passenger sliding door, passenger rear upper wheel well, and the bottom of the rear tailgate hatch. they all rust in the same spot. So my hypothesis is if the car is built right, and you keep it clean, it won't rust.... unless it's a Dodge mini-van.

[meissen]

Your car will be fine. My car has been driven through two winters, this is the third. No rust.

[Misfit1]

The car will be fine...I am here in VB as well...I would recommend spraying the bottom off in a wand wash, but everything else should be alright. The biggest issue we have here is the idiots put down this salt and sand mix either way too late or way too early and WAAAAYYYYYY to much of it. I just spray the bottom, try to keep it clean and do the best you can do. I would be more worried about the Stupid rain turning to ice with the P/Zeros. I know I am!!! looking for a winter "shitbox" right now due to all the other asshats that think 4 wheel drive means 4 wheel stop and take out my car!!!

[tow]

Cars today have exterior body panels are made of Electrogalvanized steel which is bonded to the cold roll base metal on both sides during the processing of the steel. The inner metal panels are hot dipped galvanized. To rust water or salt has to get through paint, primer and then the galvanize to react with the metal. Keep your car clean and waxed repair any paint chips to prevent rust.
I spent 30 years in Quality Control Automotive processing of steel blanks have seen this process at the Steel mills. Steel quality has improved dramatically with new technology.

[JR 1]

Originally Posted by not

Lastly, if you are in a weather spell under 20f, it is better to keep the car outside and NOT wash it. Salt is not active under 20f and hitting it with relatively warm water just activates the salt. What you want to keep clean is areas that hold road grime and poke them free so they don't settle there.

I'm glad somebody said it. Salt really does the damage when it is mixed with water. People who constantly wash their cars in winter may be doing more harm then good, especially if the salt on the undercarriage isn't getting completely washed off in the process (and it probably isn't).

[MYDLIFECRISIS]

Originally Posted by JR 1

I'm glad somebody said it. Salt really does the damage when it is mixed with water. People who constantly wash their cars in winter may be doing more harm then good, especially if the salt on the undercarriage isn't getting completely washed off in the process (and it probably isn't).

This was hard for me to realize last winter when it got dirty...although I never drove it on wet salted roads.